Captain Reggie Parks Carpenter

Captain Reggie Parks Carpenter

Cherryville

Captain Reggie Parks Carpenter, 51, went to be with his Lord and Savior after suffering cardiac arrest in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on February 3, 2015.

Captain Carpenter was from Cherryville, North Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1985 with a BA in Communications. He was commissioned as an Ensign through the Aviation Officer Candidate School and received his wings of gold in 1987. Captain Carpenter flew 40 combat missions in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, leading strikes into Iraq and Kuwait.

Captain Carpenter served as an exchange pilot with the French Navy from 1993 to 1996. He graduated from the U.S. Naval War College in 1996 with a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Captain Carpenter then reported to VFA-81 where he served as Safety and Operations Officer. His next tour was with CVW-17 as Operations Officer where he completed an extended Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf deployment.

Captain Carpenter was selected for Aviation Command, and in 2002 served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VFA-83. In 2005 Captain Carpenter reported to the Office of Secretary of Defense as an Operational Research Analyst.

From 2007 to 2011, Captain Carpenter served as Naval Attaché in Paris, France. From 2012 until his death he served as Naval Attaché to Argentina.

Captain Carpenter accumulated many awards and medals over his career, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a decorated officer, as well as a loyal and loving husband and father. Captain Carpenter was a kind and passionate man with a quick wit and zest for life. He loved to sing and play his guitar. Captain Carpenter was devoted to his family.

Captain Carpenter is preceded in death by his father; Burmah K. Carpenter. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, and daughters Avery and Caroline; his mother Barbara Cannon; his sister Kelly Stewart; his brother-in-law Bob Stewart; Nephews Jay Stewart and Jeremy Stewart; and great nephews Jaxon and Robert Stewart, and many loving friends and colleagues.

A service took place on Tuesday, February 10, at the Ambassador's Residence in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A full military funeral with honors and burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. will take place on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.